Youth Cup Flashback: Newcastle '07

IN the build-up to Town's FA Youth Cup tie with Liverpool, the official website revisits Swindon's tie with Newcastle in February 2007. Town lost 2-1 thanks to an Andy Carroll goal in Extra Time.

Below is the match report from the game.

A header from Andy Carroll just three minutes before the end of extra-time denied Swindon Town a penalty shoot-out against Newcastle United in front of 2,327 at The County Ground.

Swindon Town named a neat full strength line-up to take on Newcastle, with only broken leg victim Alex Rigley the only change from the side that had beaten Burnley in Round Five.

Newcastle United named Kazenga Lua Lua and Andy Carroll in their starting eleven, with both players having had first team experience this term.

Kick-off was delayed for fifteen minutes to accommodate a crowd of 2,327 who lent their full support to David Byrne's young charges throughout the night.

Town could have taken an early lead after just two minutes. Callum Kennedy saw his left-footed free-kick curl just over from 20 yards. Newcastle though soon got into the game with Lua Lua influential in the early stages, showing excellent close control and crossing from either foot.

Swindon though were not overawed by their Premiership visitors and made some headway in the opening half an hour. Lukas Jutkiewicz was causing problems with his strength and pace and forced two early corners. Jake Hyde went close on 19 minutes before Chris Allen thundered a shot from 25-yards on 23 minutes.

Newcastle took the lead on 28 minutes. A corner from the left wasn't cleared and Ryan Donaldson was on hand to stab home from close range.

There were further chances before the first half was out with Chris Allen curling a free-kick into the wall for another corner, before Jutkiewicz headed over from an Allen cross

Half-Time: Swindon Town 0 Newcastle United 1

Town started the half well and were soon into the action with Luke Hopper hitting a 25-yarder just wide. Ten minutes into the second half Swindon continued their promising start with Lukas Jutkiewicz again at the centre of all good things in Town's way. Jutkiewicz had the ball in the net on 56 minutes only for the goal to be ruled out for an alleged foul on Newcastle keeper Mark Cook.

However Jutkiewicz equalised on 69 minutes. A flicked header on from the centre saw Jutkiewicz run onto the bouncing ball and he hit a left-footed effort wide of Cook into the bottom corner to send the 2,000 plus crowd into celebrations.

Jon Stewart made two excellent saves in the second half, the best of which stopped Lua Lua from putting his side ahead after a tricky, weaving run in from the left from the youngster.

Allen saw a free-kick float past the far post before the game was sent into extra-time after an excellent second half display.

Full-Time: Swindon Town 1 Newcastle United 1

Extra-time

Just two minutes into the extra half an hour Town were down to ten with Chris Allen dismissed for a second yellow. This did not deter Swindon's young side one bit, with every ounce of energy and passion on show for the supportive crowd. Town ‘keeper Stewart produced another excellent save in the first half to deny goalscorer Donaldson before Town introduced Lloyd Macklin in place of Hopper with ten minutes remaining.

Despite several bouts of cramp and other injuries, Town continued to battle and matched the visitors until the hammer blow arrived with three minutes remaining. Carroll rose highest from a corner to head home the decisive goal which sent the Magpies into a two-legged semi-final against Sheffield United or Liverpool.